Breastfeeding and Natural Disasters: Women's Attitudes Towards Breastfeeding and the Psychosocial Effects of the Kahramanmaraş Earthquake: A Qualitative Research/ Emzirme ve Doğal Afetler: Kahramanmaraş Depremi Sonrasında Kadınların Emzirmeye Yönelik Tutumları ve Depremin Psikososyal Etkileri: Nitel Bir Araştırma

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This study aims to determine the attitudes of women who experienced the earthquake in Kahramanmaraş, Turkey, towards breastfeeding and the psychosocial effects of the earthquake. In this qualitative study, in-depth interviews were conducted with 10 women who were breastfeeding their babies. The data were collected from individuals who experienced the February 6, 2023, earthquake between May 20 and July 30, 2023, through an online semi-structured interview form. The data collected were analyzed using the content analysis method, and the stages of creating codes, categories, and themes were systematically followed throughout this process. As a result of the interviews, three main categories were identified: the category of experiences during the earthquake, the category of baby care and breastfeeding, and the category of long-term effects experienced after the earthquake. The participants exhibited emotional responses such as fear, panic, and helplessness during the earthquake. After the earthquake, they experienced issues such as a decrease in milk production, hygiene problems, difficulties in accessing supplementary foods for their children, and weight loss. Additionally, sleep problems and earthquake-related anxiety were common. The importance of solidarity and the need for social support among mothers were emphasized. These findings emphasize that the care of women who experienced the Kahramanmaraş earthquake was affected after emotional trauma and that solidarity and social support are of vital importance in such emergencies.